What is wrong with Peeple: New app faces strong resistance

By Money Times

Oct 05, 2015 09:27 AM EDT

Peeple, an app dubbed as "Yelp for people" will be launched soon.  It is an application that allows you to rate just about everyone you know. More and more people are petitioning to ban the people-rating app.  

A new app called Peeple will be launched in November. You can review and rate just about everybody such as your office mates, executives, neighbors, friends and probably your enemies through the app, The Washington Post reported.  

In turn, you can't restrict anyone from placing your name, not until they violated the apps' terms and conditions. Likewise, you can't delete negative reviews about you either.  

Julia Cordray, the founder of Peeple, sees no reason for people to keep their character out of the public. "People do so much research when they buy a car or make those kinds of decisions," she thought, "Why not do the same kind of research on other aspects of your life?"

To maintain the integrity of the app, Cordray said users must be 21 years old and above to make reviews. They must also have a Facebook account to review others under their real names.

The app has been valued $7.6M on Monday by Silicon Valley venture firms and private shareholders.

Meanwhile, Peeple co-founder Nicole McCullough has a deeper perspective. As a mom, she doesn't have enough time to know her neighbors. She thinks the app will help her decide whom to trust her kids.

On the contrary, CNBC stated many people, including supermodel Chrissy Teigen and T-Mobile CEO John Legere found Peeple terrifying. The app which is not released yet gained negative criticisms of those who are concerned with cyberbullying.

Another complaint in change.org is calling to ban the launch of the app. The petition, which accumulated around 7000 signatures as of the moment, states the app is dangerous to personal privacy. It also persuades to bullying and harassment.

Most likely, it could also affect a prospective employer's decision. The appeal calls for Apple App Store and Google Play to block the app from launching.

Imagine if this app will be supported by millions of people and become a common thing. It would mean every people's interaction in the real world would suddenly be scrutinized over the Internet.

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